excellent result

 

thanks dave ;)

Wilkinson relief after comeback

 

 

Wilkinson was playing his first Test since November 2003

 

Jonny Wilkinson expressed his relief after a stunningly successful comeback as he guided England to Six Nations victory over Scotland at Twickenham. Wilkinson scored 27 points to beat Rob Andrew's Calcutta Cup record of 24.

 

"It was just good to get back on the field, and feel the whole atmosphere," he told BBC Sport. "It is what I live a lot of my life for. You earn your place and I was worried after being selected. But I just wanted to do a job and help the team win."

 

Wilkinson had missed England's last 30 Test matches through a series of injuries and illness, but he found his feet again with ludicrous ease after just 45 minutes' rugby in 12 weeks.

 

"It means a huge amount to be here to be honest, and I have got a lot of people to pay back for the confidence they have shown in me," he said. "I am just taking it game-by-game. Today has been quite a good day - to win and remain injury free. I have to repay this team for having me back and making me feel so comfortable. The Twickenham crowd were so loud and supportive. Running out to a full stadium like that always sends tingles down your spine, especially when you haven't heard it for a while."

 

England captain Phil Vickery paid tribute to his World Cup-winning colleague.

 

"He just gets better and better," Vickery said. "He has played 45 minutes of rugby leading up to this game and then he plays like that. He is a huge asset for the team and the game, and I just hope he stays in one piece."

 

Another returning World Cup winner, Jason Robinson, who marked his return to Test rugby with two tries, saluted Wilkinson's work ethic.

 

"It is great to have him back," he said. "He is an oustanding player and has worked really hard through the week. He gets what he deserves."

 

Wilkinson's performance fully vindicated the decision of England head coach Brian Ashton to select the player despite his lack of match action. "There was a lot of speculation about whether he should have played or not and ultimately he made the decision," Ashton said. "I think he proved he made the correct one."

 

RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew, Wilkinson's mentor during his time as Newcastle boss, admitted his protege exceeded his expectations. "He knew he was ready and the people who know him knew he was ready," Andrew said. "But even taking everything into account you still have to wonder in awe at that performance. I don't think even I thought he could be that good. He stepped onto the international field as if he had never been away."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6328327.stm

^I told you all, didn't I??:smug:

It should be 7 nations! I want Australia to join in all the fun :D

It should be 7 nations! I want Australia to join in all the fun :D

 

Then Australia will have to become part of Europe first!:rolleyes:

Then Australia will have to become part of Europe first!:rolleyes:

 

I wish... Europe is such a bully! :P

that was a good match. Not seen them play that well for ages. be interesting to see how the confidence boost of playing well & reclaiming the Calcutta cup will work

that was a good match. Not seen them play that well for ages. be interesting to see how the confidence boost of playing well & reclaiming the Calcutta cup will work

 

As I said, Jonny is a talisman, and there is new management. It was bound to make a difference.:smug:

as the commentators said, one of the key differences was putting players in the positions that they play in their clubs. playing in a role that they know how to do is sensible, rather than putting them in a random position that they're not used too.

 

and as much as it pains me to say so, having jonny back was good. his kicking was amazing.

It should be 7 nations! I want Australia to join in all the fun :D

 

There were plans a few years ago to expand the 6 nations out to 12 nations.

There were plans a few years ago to expand the 6 nations out to 12 nations.

 

doesn't that effectively make it the world cup if they did that?

doesn't that effectively make it the world cup if they did that?

 

True dat.

 

I think the plan was to get another 6 European teams in and only do it every 2 years to add a bit more competition (also to laugh at Italy as they lose to the rugby team of San Mario)

Ireland earn tense win over Wales

 

 

Wales 9 (9)

Pens: S Jones 3.

 

Ireland 19 (12)

Tries: R Best, O'Driscoll, O'Gara.

Cons: O'Gara 2.

 

Ireland made Wales pay for their mistakes in an open and thrilling RBS Six Nations clash in Cardiff.

 

Wales had a nightmare start when Brian O'Driscoll blocked Stephen Jones' kick and Rory Best scored after 46 seconds.

 

The hosts worked their way back through three Stephen Jones penalties, but the Irish led at half-time as O'Driscoll dived over for a converted try.

 

A third Irish try nine minutes from the end, O'Gara scoring from close range, ended any Wales hopes of a comeback.

 

A heavyweight Welsh front-row of Chris Horsman, Rhys Thomas and Gethin Jenkins had been meant to pulverise the Irish scrum, but the visitors never buckled as Wales hoped.

 

Wales' backline had been hampered by a succession of injuries and suspension to their inspirational former captain Gareth Thomas.

 

One of those to benefit was Chris Czekaj, but the Cardiff Blues wing made a mess of his first Six Nations start to gift Ireland a try in the opening minute.

 

Fielding a kick from Ireland fly-half O'Gara, Czekaj opted to keep the ball alive rather than let it roll into touch and his pass put Jones under pressure.

 

The Wales fly-half tried to clear his lines but opposition captain O'Driscoll was already on top of the Scarlet to charge the kick down.

 

Ulster hooker Best gratefully gathered the loose ball to flop over the try line, although O'Gara was unable to make the conversion.

 

Wales replied admirably with Hal Luscombe, on the right wing, and flanker Martyn Williams making ground against the Irish defence.

 

The pressure drew a penalty and Jones stroked over an easy three points from in front of the posts.

 

A Denis Hickie dart down the blind-side of a ruck nearly brought Ireland a second try, but David Wallace was just unable to take the flick pass.

 

The pace on the game and attacking intent from both sets of backs was thrilling and the noise rolling out from the crowd packed into the Millennium Stadium bore evidence.

 

O'Gara missed a difficult penalty chance from one Irish foray and then had to watch Jones slot his second to give Wales a 6-5 lead with 19 minutes gone.

 

That sparked a spell of fierce Welsh pressure that had Ireland rocking and earned Jones a third successful pot at goal.

 

Hickie spilled blood in the cause and had to go off for stitches to a head wound, with Geordan Murphy temporarily taking his berth on the Ireland left wing.

 

Wales did not escape either with number eight Ryan Jones suffering a badly cut eye that needed five stitches, Gavin Thomas filling the ranks for a spell.

 

Back came Ireland through Murphy, who gathered his own huge Garryowen in the Wales 22.

 

Wallace bust through a couple of Welsh tackles to suck in the cover and O'Gara fired a long pass for O'Driscoll to score his 17th championship try in the right corner.

 

O'Gara had been having a poor afternoon up to that point, but the vision of his pass for the try and then an excellent conversion redeemed the Munster man.

 

Ireland started the second half with that slim 12-9 lead but were fortunate not to lose that advantage soon after the restart.

 

Czekaj broke clear down the left, sending a grubber past Andrew Trimble and seemed destined to gather and score.

 

But Simon Easterby clipped the Blues wing just enough to slow him, the infringement going unpunished, allowing Ireland full-back Girvan Dempsey to get back and slap the ball away.

 

Aled Brew came on to make his Wales debut for the injured Luscombe and with his first touch made good ground on the right wing.

 

The rookie Wales midfield partnership of Jamie Robinson and James Hook had held their own against the vaunted O'Driscoll and Gordan D'Arcy pairing.

 

Hook was wide with a snap drop-goal that would have brought Wales level after 63 minutes.

 

But then the Ospreys youngster then had a kick charged down by O'Gara that led to the Munster fly-half claiming a decisive third Ireland try.

 

D'Arcy made the decisive break, brushing through Czekaj too easily to get to within inches of the Welsh line and O'Gara was on hand to dive over despite Hook's despairing tackle.

 

Wales drove forward in search of a try but excellent Irish defence, with Denis Leamy outstanding, ensured it was their Grand Slam and Triple Crown hopes that remain alive.

 

Eddie O'Sullivan's men can now look forward to a home game against France at Croke Park in a week's time.

 

Wales, meanwhile, must gather themselves for a trip to face Scotland at Murrayfield next Saturday.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6321433.stm

One man doesnae make a team...and why have video refs if they are registered blind?

One man doesnae make a team...and why have video refs if they are registered blind?

 

Sounds like some sour Scottish grapes to me!! Go and eat some haggis or something!!:P

Sounds like some simplistic crack because you know I'm right...

Sounds like some simplistic crack because you know I'm right...

 

Or do you mean tight??:P

Anyway, it's no good moaning about the odd decision - your boys were well beaten!!:rolleyes:

French make changes for Ireland

 

 

France have made five changes, three of them in the pack, for their second Six Nations game against Ireland in Dublin. One of the try-scorers in Saturday's win over Italy, winger Cedric Heymans, is replaced by Vincent Clerc with David Marty replacing Florian Fritz.

 

Sebastien Chabal moves to open-side flanker, with Imanol Hardinordoquy replacing Julien Bonnaire in the pack.

 

The other two pack changes are Sylvain Marconnet and Pascal Pape, who come in for Olivier Milloud and Jerome Thion.

 

Coach Bernard Laporte said he deliberately interfered with a winning team to stir up competition among his players.

 

"The players who are going to start the match on Sunday will be very eager to show they are as good as the ones who won in Rome last Saturday," he said.

 

"They know they are in competition with each other."

 

Sunday's match will be the first at Ireland's temporary new home Croke Park.

 

The team will play at the stadium, who has previously only been used for Gaelic games, while Lansdowne Road is being rebuilt.

 

Laporte said playing there, in front of a bigger than usual Dublin crowd, would add to the atmosphere.

 

"It will be a hellish game. The games against Ireland are always tough but this one will be played in a very special environment, in a stadium which is a temple of Gaelic sports where rugby players didn't have the right to play," he said.

 

"Ireland play good rugby and they will certainly will be eager to beat us because the last four times we played, they lost, and because we'll face each other in the World Cup pool phase."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6330361.stm

Easter and Balshaw in for England

 

 

England coach Brian Ashton has made two changes for the Six Nations game with Italy on Saturday, with Nick Easter and Iain Balshaw coming into the side.

Harlequins back-rower Easter replaces injured Wasps blind-side flanker Joe Worsley in the number six shirt.

 

Full-back Balshaw, who missed the 42-20 win over Scotland with injury, comes into the side for Olly Morgan, who replaced Balshaw against the Scots.

 

Bristol scrum-half Shaun Perry replaces Peter Richards on the bench.

 

The uncapped Easter, 28, came off the bench for England Saxons in their win against Italy on Friday night.

 

He joined Quins from Orrell in August 2004 and has twice been the London club's player of the year.

 

"I would like to congratulate Nick on his first cap for England," said England boss Ashton.

 

"He has had a very good season in the Guinness Premiership, and he played in the successful England Saxons side that beat Italy last Friday."

 

Worsley is expected to recover from the neck injury he sustained against Scotland in time for England's third match in the championship, against Ireland in Dublin on 24 February.

 

Balshaw displaces Gloucester club colleague Morgan, who made his debut against the Scots, but will have to prove he has overcome a groin problem in training on Wednesday.

 

If he fails to recover in time then Morgan will retain the full-back jersey.

 

Ashton said: "I thought that Olly Morgan did a good job on Saturday, especially as he was called in at such short notice, but I have gone for Iain's greater experience at international level."

 

England have won all seven previous Six Nations meetings against Italy and have averaged 53 points a game in the three encounters at Twickenham.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6330209.stm

Irish can improve, says O'Connell

 

 

Paul O'Connell has warned France not to be lured into a false sense of security by Ireland's display against Wales.

France visit Croke Park a week after Ireland beat Wales 19-9 in the opening round of the Six Nations but O'Connell said they can improve on that display.

 

The lock said: "We don't take comfort from the fact we've played badly and won because we're disappointed we didn't perform as well as we can do.

 

"But we do play France knowing we have another gear."

 

Ireland are due to reveal their line-up for the match on Wednesday, with O'Connell a possible captain if Brian O'Driscoll fails to recover from a hamstring strain.

 

But the signs are the Leinster player's injury is not as bad as feared and he should be fit to play.

 

O'Driscoll's centre partner Gordon D'Arcy should also play despite a minor groin problem, and number eight Denis Leamy will take a limited part in training after treatment on an abscess.

 

A late decision will be taken on the fitness of Peter Stringer, who has a hairline break to a bone in his right hand, with Isaac Boss ready to deputise if necessary.

 

Leinster second row Malcolm O'Kelly has been added to the squad after missing the win in Cardiff with a knee problem.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/6336073.stm

:(......i'm afraid of Wilkinson for this saturday's match at twickenham....

btw.....last summer i passed around there while we were going to stonehenge....:)..watch this pic....it's not a great one, i mean:D, but i was in the coach!

England v Italy

 

Saturday, 10 February

Twickenham, London

Kick-off: 1330 GMT

Live on BBC One, Five Live Sports Extra, BBC Sport website

 

England aim to continue their revival under head coach Brian Ashton when they face Italy at Twickenham on Saturday.

 

Jonny Wilkinson inspired England to a 42-20 win over Scotland last week and he can become the highest points scorer in championship history against Italy.

 

There are two changes to the starting XV, Nick Easter and Iain Balshaw replacing Joe Worsley and Olly Morgan.

 

Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has made seven changes to his starting line-up following the 39-3 defeat by France.

 

The Azzurri have suffered two injury blows with the loss of Mauro Bergamasco and Andrea Masi and their places are taken by flanker Maurizio Zaffiri and winger Kaine Robertson.

 

Berbizier has completely revamped his front row while veteran Alessandro Troncon is named at scrum-half.

 

England are in buoyant mood following the Calcutta Cup victory on Saturday which saw returning fly-half Wilkinson claim 27 points in a stunning display.

 

And Wilkinson's first score against Italy will take him past former Wales star Neil Jenkins as the most prolific points accumulator in Five or Six Nations Championship history.

 

Wilkinson is currently tied with Jenkins on 406 points.

 

The Newcastle fly-half will also, if he gets on the board, join a select group of players to have racked up 900 points in international rugby.

 

The Scotland match was Brian Ashton's first game in charge following Andy Robinson's sacking in November, which came after a run of eight defeats in nine Tests.

 

And although England claimed a comfortable win, Ashton wants an improvement from his side on Saturday.

 

"We have talked about the mentality of winning, and we have enough experience in this team now to know what it takes to win Test matches," he said.

 

"Italy will take us on in the scrum and in the lineout, they will box-kick and they will be very confrontational.

 

"The lineout could be a huge theatre because Italy did a lot of damage to France in that area. I do know it will be a battlefield between numbers eight down to number one, and whatever the weather throws at us, we will throw it right back. It is not a concern.

 

"Discipline is hugely important, and conceding 14 penalties last week was unacceptable.

 

"You are never 100% happy as a a coach. For example, we didn't get enough go-forward possession in the first 20 minutes last Saturday - there was too much of us going from side to side."

 

And Ashton has praised Harlequins blind-side flanker Easter for the way he has settled into the side this week.

 

"I've hardly noticed him all week, which is a huge compliment to the lad because it's as if he has always been part of the set-up," Ashton added.

 

Number eight Martin Corry will play after recovering from an arm infection that saw him put on a course of antibiotics earlier this week.

 

The Italians have conceded 159 points on their three previous Twickenham visits since they joined the tournament in 2000.

 

And after the heavy loss to France, Berbizier says he wants to see an instant reaction from his side.

 

"In the first half against France we had plenty of chances to win points but we made only three," he said.

 

"Our climb towards the top tier of world rugby is a race against time. The problem is that we don't have much of it."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/6344537.stm

Scots must match Welsh 'cheats'

 

 

Saturday, 10 February

Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Kick-off: 1530 GMT

Live on BBC One, Five Live Sports Extra, BBC Radio Scotland, Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, Sport website

 

Scotland captain Chris Paterson has raised temperatures ahead of Saturday's RBS Six Nations clash with Wales by branding Gareth Jenkins' team "cheats".

"When you play Welsh teams... there is a lot of cheating that goes on around the breakdown," Paterson said.

 

But Paterson says all teams push the rules to the limit: "Listen, we would do it as well... you have to be clever at the edges of the breakdown."

 

After their opening loss, it was Wales complaining about Ireland infringing.

 

Wales coach Nigel Davies was upset at how referee Kelvin Deaker handled the scrum and breakdown in their 19-9 loss in Cardiff, claiming Irish players should have been sin-binned.

 

But now the boot is on the other foot, with Paterson seeing the recall of Scott Murray at lock as vital to prevent what he sees as Welsh skulduggery.

 

"Scott Murray, who has come in for Al Kellock, has massive experience and knows what it takes to beat Wales," Paterson, who starts at wing in the Murrayfield showdown, added.

 

"When you play Welsh teams you need that, because... they'll hold you back and knock you out the way - and the experience of a guy like Scotty will help us there."

 

Wales lock Brent Cockbain addressed the 'cheating' issue in his column for BBC Sport Interactive this week.

 

While teams are unhappy when the opposition is allowed to get away with infringing by the referee, Cockbain says that pushing the laws to their limits is part and parcel of the intensity of Test rugby.

 

"Anything goes in rugby, anything you can get away with and maybe you can call that cynical," Cockbain had said.

 

"You cheat and cheat until you get caught out and then you cheat some more."

 

One thing that both sides agree on is that the clash between Scotland and Wales has the potential to be a thriller.

 

Paterson is confident Scotland can bounce back with a home win over Wales after losing their Six Nations opener to England.

 

"It will be a much quicker game and a much more open game," he said.

 

"Confidence is high, we're at home, and it is going to be a sell-out - so that will inspire us to get the victory.

 

"My biggest worry would be if the commitment and attitude wasn't there last week, but it was and it will be there again this weekend."

 

Scotland suffered a 42-20 loss to England and were guilty of a number of basic errors but Paterson is relishing the prospect of a home encounter.

 

"We spoke about momentum and winning the first game, and we believe we had a chance to win at Twickenham," he continued.

 

"Unfortunately we didn't do that, but we know the reasons for us being beaten - the soft tries we gave away - and when you know the reasons for not winning it makes it a lot easier to look ahead to the next week.

 

"We debriefed heavily on Monday, and since then it has been about looking forward instead of looking back."

 

Three changes have been made to the Scotland side - with Murray replacing Alastair Kellock in the second row, Phil Godman taking Dan Parks' place at fly-half, and Rob Dewey coming in for Andy Henderson at inside centre.

 

And Paterson is comfortable with coach Frank Hadden's decision to shuffle the line-up.

 

"Phil and Dan are both outstanding players at what they do, but they are completely different, so we'll probably play a slightly quicker game with quite a bit less kicking this week," Paterson said.

 

"I don't think I'm giving anything away to the opposition by saying that, it is pretty obvious.

 

"It will be open and it will be fast, but whoever has the best balance will come out on top.

 

"The most successful team in the world are the All Blacks and they've adopted a philosophy of not picking the same team two weeks running.

 

"I don't think that making changes from one week to the next is a negative thing.

 

"I think we'll all be involved in the next few months, in the lead-up to the World Cup - and hopefully we'll get the result to back up what we are trying to do on Saturday."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/6333983.stm

Ireland v France (Sun)

 

 

Sunday, 11 February

Croke Park, Dublin

Kick-off: 1500 GMT

Live on BBC One, Five Live Sports Extra, BBC Sport website

 

Croke Park will stage its first rugby match when RBS Six Nations favourites Ireland entertain title rivals France.

 

The historic encounter will be between teams who opened with wins last weekend and it could go a long way to deciding the destiny of the 2007 championship.

 

Ireland have been hit by injuries to skipper Brian O'Driscoll and scrum-half Peter Stringer but Shane Horgan returns after missing the 19-9 win over Wales.

 

France have made five changes, three of them in the pack.

 

Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan declared himself satisfied by that three-try success in Cardiff but the general consensus is that they will have to play better to beat France.

 

Skipper O'Driscoll, a GAA fan, is reported to be dejected about missing the first game at Croke Park.

 

The Gaelic Athletic Association has allowed the Irish rugby and football teams to play at their impressive north Dublin ground while Lansdowne Road is being rebuilt.

 

So there will be 82,000 spectators at Sunday's match, almost twice the capacity at Lansdowne.

 

For many observers, this year is the one in which Ireland's squad of established stars should deliver the goods.

 

For coach O'Sullivan, it is not just about winning the championship but also about being well placed for a serious tilt at the World Cup.

 

The loss of O'Driscoll, scorer of a famous hat-trick against France in 2000, is a serious setback for the Irish. He is the superstar who can turn a game when the chips are down, and Ireland are not the same team without him.

 

As for the historic venue, will home advantage matter as much as it did at Lansdowne?

 

Local knowledge will not count for much as both sides are playing at the ground for the first time.

 

But Ireland can count on their best-ever vocal backing as home fans are certain to provide an amazing atmosphere at Croke.

 

"The Irish public really get behind their team. In France, at the moment, it is completely the opposite," said French coach Bernard Laporte.

 

"They have not beaten us since 2003. That means my players cannot be that bad."

 

And Laporte added the match could decide the outcome of the Six Nations.

 

"If we win, we will have the cards in hand to win the tournament and if we lose it will be them, as this year they have the advantage of three home games," he said.

 

So it is crunch time. Ireland have their main rivals - France and England - at home this year.

 

The England game promises to be a memorable sporting occasion on 24 February, particularly if both sides have 100% records.

 

An Irish defeat to France would take the gloss off it a little, and puncture the current feel-good factor surrounding O'Sullivan's men.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6347365.stm

Busy bee....which score would be for you at Twickenham?........i think you'll win by 20 points